Who’s Cold (last 7 days)

Injuries (click to expand)

Upcoming Schedule

Mon (8:05), Tues (8:05), Wed (8:05), Thurs (2:20) at Cubs

Fri (10:10), Sat (9:10), Sun (4:10) at LA Dodgers

2. St. Louis Cardinals (last week: 1)

62-54, 2nd Place, 2.0 GB, 431 RS, 438 RA (-7)

The Cardinals went 3-3 on the week, but they had some brutal losses on Friday and Saturday in Baltimore. On Friday, the Cardinals lost 12-2 as their newly acquired starter Justin Masterson allowed 5 ER and 7 H, and lasted only 2.0 innings. On Saturday, the Cardinals lost 10-3, as their other new starter John Lackey allowed 9 ER and 13 H in 5.0 IP. Despite the tough weekend, the Cardinals do still hold the first wild card spot.

Jhonny Peralta is really having a tremendous season for the Cardinals. He ranks second among all MLB SS in WAR (3.7), only trailing Troy Tulowitzki (5.1), and is way ahead of the third highest SS, Erick Aybar and Alexi Ramirez (2.9). Peralta is hitting .255/.333/.444, with 15 HR and 120 wRC+.

Who’s Cold (last 7 days)

Injuries (click to expand)

Upcoming Schedule

Mon (7:10), Tues (7:10), Wed (7:10) at Miami

Thurs (8:15), Fri (8:15), Sat (7:15), Sun (2:15) vs San Diego

3. Pittsburgh Pirates (last week: 3)

62-55, 3rd Place, 2.5 GB, 490 RS, 481 RA (+9)

The Pirates were able to get to 1.5 games back in the NL Central, and at one point this week held the top wild card spot. After losing the final two games against the Padres, the Pirates finished the week 3-3. The Pirates currently hold the second wild card spot, and are just a half game behind the Cardinals for the first wild card spot.

Josh Harrison seems to be on a mission to prove that his All-Star selection was no fluke. Since the start of the second half, Harrison leads the entire MLB in WAR (1.7). He is also hitting .373/.411/.687 with 5 HR, 7 SB, and an MLB best 208 wRC+.

Andrew McCutchen is reportedly having “remarkable progress” from his injury, and could be back soon. That is great news for Pirates fans.

Injuries (click to expand)

Upcoming Schedule

Mon (7:05), Tues (7:05) vs Detroit

Wed (7:08), Thurs (1:08) at Detroit

Fri (7:05), Sat (7:05), Sun (5:05) at Washington

4. Cincinnati Reds (last week: 4)

60-58, 4th Place, 5.0 GB, 450 RS, 420 RA (+30)

The Reds had a pretty good week. They took three of four from Cleveland, winning their first Ohio Cup since 2010 (including ending a 10-game losing streak at Progressive Field). The Reds did however lose two of three over the weekend at home to the Marlins. The Reds may still be five games back in the division, but they are only 2.5 back from the second wild card spot (3.0 back from the first spot).

Homer Bailey is really starting to look like the pitcher the Reds invested $100 million in. Over Bailey’s last 13 starts, he has posted a 2.65 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 75 K, 25 BB. He has been even better in his last 7 starts: 1.61 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 37 K, 14 BB.

Who’s Cold (last 7 days)

Injuries (click to expand)

Upcoming Schedule

Tues (7:10), Wed (12:35) vs Boston

Thurs (8:40), Fri (8:40), Sat (8:10), Sun (4:10) at Colorado

5. Chicago Cubs (last week: 5)

50-66, 5th Place, 14.0 GB, 451 RS, 498 RA (-47)

The Javier Baez show has landed in Wrigley Field. The Cubs called up one of the top, power-hitting prospects, and he hasn’t disappointed. Baez has hit 3 HR in his first six games, including a game winning home run in the 12th inning of his debut on Tuesday against Colorado.

Andrew McCutchen was placed on the DL today and will not be eligible to return until August 19 at the earliest. That is not so great news for Pirate fans esp. with 7 games in a row against first place teams (though the Tigers have been struggling lately).